How can I transfer my domain name?

reThink Your Hosting offers domain transfers if you'd like to keep all your web hosting services in one easy-to-access place (and where I can help you with them.) In order to transfer your domains though, you'll need to take a few steps with your existing domain registrar. As each registrar is different, you may want to read the outgoing domain transfer instructions for your registrar. Here are instructions for a few common registrars: Enom, GoDaddy, Domain.com, Bluehost, and Namecheap.

What do do BEFORE you transfer your domain

• Unlock your domain: You'll need to login to your current registrar and unlock your domain. You can do an ICANN WHOIS search on your domain to make sure you don't have a status of “clientTransferProhibited” or “pendingDelete.” In the first case, you can login to your current registrar and follow their directions to unlock your domain. Or ask me to help you. If your domain status is “pendingDelete” though, there is no way to transfer the domain.
• Administrative contact email availability: While you're logged in to your existing registrar, make sure you have access to the administrative contact email address. You will receive a domain transfer verification email at this address and will need to follow the instructions in the email. If you're unsure, we can walk you through this process.
• Remove privacy: If you have privacy set, you'll want to remove it while you're still logged in at your current registrar. This may not always be necessary, but disabling this setting can potentially save you some time since some registrars don't permit transfers if you have privacy turned on. If you really want to leave privacy on, verify with your current registrar that they will permit the transfer AND that you'll be able to receive email addressed to the admin contact address per WHOIS.
• EPP transfer code: Before you start your transfer with us, you'll need to get the EPP transfer authorization code from your current registrar. This process will be different for every registrar. If you need help, let us know and we can walk you through the process.
• Other considerations:
  • The domain must not have been registered within the last 60 days. If it has, we'll need to wait until the 61st day to process the transfer.
  • The domain must not have been transferred within the last 60 days. If it has, we'll need to wait until the 61st day to process the transfer.
  • The domain is not within 7 days of expiration if the current registrar does not permit outbound transfers during this period. If your domain expires within 7 days, first check with your current registrar to ensure they allow approval of outbound transfers to bypass the standard 5-6 day waiting period; we can help you with this process.
  • NOTICE: Avoid transferring domains within 45 days of renewal. Otherwise, you will lose credit for that renewal and your only remedy is to try to get a refund from your current registrar. In my experience, registrars are not fond of refunds.